Now that I'm a college grad, there's just less to do on a Friday night. No more house parties, less…read moreof my friends are around, and it's also just less socially acceptable to go wild now that I'm supposed to be an adult. Cue going out with my roommates to classy events like After Dark, where everyone's a little older than I'm used to and where I don't really feel like I fit in just yet, but it's still nice to finally be a part of the grown ups. I would say the average person was in their late 20s, and the crowd was quite dressed up (at least in comparison to my cotton black summer dress and flip flops). We had a great time. Food wise, they had some complimentary snacks consisting of crackers/dip, popcorn, and rice crispy treats, although I wish they had something more substantial to feed us. They also have a drinks line (need to first purchase tickets to buy drinks!) where you can get beer, wine, or cocktails. Entertainment wise, there was a fantastic DJ, a photo booth with a mime, and an arts and crafts stand where you can get stickers to plaster all over you friends. After getting drinks and snacks, we sat around for a bit on the (beautiful) outdoor patio, and afterwards proceeded to walk through the Modern Wing, which was open exclusively for the event. The Roy Lichtenstein exhibit was up, and it took quite awhile to peruse since it was absolutely huge. The artwork was amazing, and I'm really glad I got a chance to see this exhibit that I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. The price of the event was so worth it since it covers both the art and the h'orderves. Overall, I had a fantastic time and am excited to attend other events similar to this (First Friday's at the MCA, anyone?). Only qualm is still that I wish they had more substantial snacks, since I was starving afterwards.

Eclectic mix of people, something for everybody here…read more Plenty of single people and couples too. It was great to walk around and view the art, which gave the event an added touch. One thing that was annoying was having to pay for drink tickets, it would be much more convenient if they just took cash. Not a black tie event as some people made it out to be. All in, its good for what you make of it, either enjoying your own company or going to meet others. Good vibes!

Random assortment of pics…read more.. The very 1st year where they offer 2 different parking lots - $40 (a block & half away) or $25 (4 blocks away). Yet the $40 lot was completely full when we left. Admission was an $8 donation, so it was voluntary. Proceeds go to Pilsen. My 2 chicken tacos & 1 Oaxaqueño tamale (peppers & cheese) were yummy. My horchata came in a plastic resealable bottle, which was unexpected yet clever. Suddenly, hoards of people came! We were prepared to shop & eat more, but there were SSSOOO many people that we couldn't even breathe!, so we had no choice but to leave. 3 stars - Parking fees are waayyy too high. The food was quite expensive, considering seating arrangements were scarce. Please limit the quantity of people allowed in at 1 time.

TACOS Y MAS TACOS PERO POCO TAMALES TACOS & MORE TACOS BUT…read moreFEW TAMALES We hit up the Tacos & Tamales Festival on July 20, 2019. It was incredibly hot and muggy. We had a steak Torta and Al pastor tacos. We tried several steak tacos. I was supposed to get 5 tacos. Two Al Pastor and 3 steak tacos ($10). I received 1 al pastor and 3 steak tacos (not 5). I had to ask (beg is more like it) for napkins. I was disappointed how bland the steak tacos tasted. I got the tacos from a food truck "Tacos Mario's" from 4540 W 63rd St., Chicago. The meat was good. The Al pastor was very good, but I inhaled it, before I could take a picture of the Al pastor. We never tried tamales. There were more vendors selling their goods than there were vendors selling food. I did not see very many food trucks. I noticed only 2 food vendors selling tamales. There were tacos, tacos and more tacos. There were tortas and burritos and elotes. I had high expectations believing the food would be more high quality Mexican food. I was disappointed. It was pricey. The quality was missing and so was the sabor (flavor). They had a DJ spinning music on one end of the festival. On the extreme end of the festival was an excellent mariachi band. Sadly, there were only 5 people listening to them perform. My husband and I listened but the heat, humidity and blazing hot sun were too much for us to continue listening. The heat and humidity contributed to people leaving quickly. We arrived at 12:00 and left by 1:30 p.m. There was an area with tables and chairs quite a distance from the food vendors. These areas were very difficult, if not impossible, to get in and out of. It was poorly designed. You had to squeeze through huge blocks of concrete in order to get to the tables and chairs. Who the "F" was the genius, or should I say idiot, who put the chairs and tables underneath these tents (this is a rhetorical question)? I am very petite, weigh less than 135 lbs and had a hard time climbing over these concrete blocks to sit down at a table. Seriously, this was an accident waiting to happen. There was a table at the main entrance stating $5 Donation (not required, but optional). We made the $5 donation, paid $10 to park in a parking lot. We spent $30 on food (excluding the $5 donation and $10 for parking). This is only their 4th Year, but they still need to work out a lot of issues. They need MORE tables and chairs much closer to the food vendors, please. They need MORE napkins. MORE water. They need MORE food vendors. They need MORE forks & spoons. They need to display their name and location because many didn't have this information displayed. Very few food vendirs had business cards for the taking. Many of the food vendors did not have napkins, forks or spoons. I asked. WTF! I had to use my fingers to pick up the meat that was spilling out of my steak tacos. One of my pet peeves is touching food with my fingers. It is not something I like doing. Please have less vendors selling their "stuff" and cheap souvenirs. I believe this Festival has potential and it CAN be successful if they make some improvements and changes. Of course, I hope someone in charge of this Festival reads this review and takes this as constructive criticism for improving the Festival. Maybe they need to drop "Tamale" from the festival name, because there weren't many vendors selling tamales. Maybe they should consider changing the name to "Tacos, Tortas and Burritos" instead.

Wow wow wow. Chicago has such cool stuff. So I was going for a walk downtown and I passed by…read moreMillennium Park. To my surprise that night they had the Free Summer Film Series event happening. Yes its not like the latest and greatest movie but its definitely a great place to gather friends and to sit and chill around. Wow there were so many people at the event. I stayed for a bit as well. It was really nice and relaxing. The screen is definitely not the biggest wide screen but it was ok. Also it was FREE! Thumbs up to this. Great for locals and tourists.

Absolutely incredible! Be a tourist in your city and do this please! I know many, many parks in the…read morecity put on movies when the weather is nice. Cliche/touristy as Millennium can be to some locals, seeing a movie here is just a perfect way to spend an evening. Good company, watching a movie while the sun goes down, Pavilion adding their own flare with subtle color lighting and also the skyline - couldn't ask for more. Recommendation: go EARLY EARLY to get a good spot. Please be considerate of your fellow movie goes and don't plop your big chair in front of people who are sitting on a blanket on the ground. Bring your favorite food and beverages of course. Also recommend double blankets or yoga mat underneath as the ground can be wet. Two and a half hour movie was difficult to sit in on position on the ground so we said next time we'd get those 'chairs' that sit flat on the ground but have back support. This time around talenti was giving away free PINTS of ice cream - yay thanks!

We did the space solar system AR and it was fun and insightful. Kids loved it and it is…read morechallenging but not too difficult for an 8 year old. Its a little pricey for what it is, but most things are these days LOL. I would go again and do the garden one.

Web were greeted upon arrival and fitted with VR glasses. We were then taken into a virtual fantasy…read moregarden to find items and score points. It was a really fun experience!

The last time we visited Chicago a few years ago, we attended and really liked the Tacos y Tamales…read morefestival. This year we found we'd missed that event, but Fiesta del Sol, supposedly the largest Latin festival of its kind in the USA, would be happening during our trip instead, and both of those events take place in the exact same area of the Pilsen neighborhood. We took an Uber here on Saturday afternoon to check it out, eat some authentic Mexican food and enjoy the music and folkloric performances. This festival features streets lined with vendors selling food and merchandise, they had 2 performance stages with live bands, a grassy area with a DJ spinning, and a 2 block-long section that was set up like a carnival midway with games of chance, thrill rides and amusements. Visiting Fiesta del Sol was a good way to spend a few hours, enjoy some good food and entertainment and best of all, admission was completely free. Do know that the food at some booths is better quality than others and if I were to attend this festival again, I'd walk around and look at everything before deciding where and what to eat. Some vendors, for instance, were cooking their meat and preparing items fresh, including one stand that was grilling steak and turkey legs over an open wood fire, while others had pre-cooked everything and were taking items out of a cooler and reheating them as customers ordered - and to us, the pre-cooked options lacked flavor. Another thing to note is that Fiesta del Sol was a "dry" event with no alcohol sales. Even booths selling things like pina coladas and micheladas were selling non-alcohol versions. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but those planning to have a cold beer while enjoying the music on a hot summer day or to come and party it up with a few drinks, won't be able to do that here.

I rarely get opportunities to go to festivals in the summertime due to my busy schedule but this…read moreyear I've managed to go to two; Fiesta del Sol being one of them. It's a big event that has gone on for over 50 years. The vendor list is extensive with blocks upon blocks of rides, sponsors, food tents and games. There were a few craft vendors although I would've liked to have seen more craft tents like textiles and ceramics. I was able to catch a few dance performances while eating what I purchased at the tents on the lawn. Pricing for food items varies. Some tents had good deals on stuff, others not so much. For instance, I got a large tamale for $12 that was at least 3-4 servings which I felt was good value. Other tents simply price gouged. I paid $10 for a melon agua fresca that although was on the large side didn't really feel like it was worth the $10. Also, a single quesabirria which appeared to be 4 inches in length cost me $5 each. Tasty but pricey. I also learned that this is a non-alcohol event so if you were expecting booze here, you may get disappointed. My friend was hoping to buy a michelada but was bummed because the entire event was dry. I'm guessing it's because A: this is a family type of event and/or B: They didn't get a liquor license for this festival. Overall, I liked the vibe and the energy. It was packed so expect to bump elbows with folks. I went on a Sunday and I knew parking was going to be difficult but we managed to find street parking about 4 blocks away. Pro tips: *If you want to save on parking (because parking is free in the city on Sunday), go Sunday versus the rest of the week. * Also, pack wet wipes. It helps clean your hands free of food residue afterwards. *Performances are in the park so bring a blanket or a carry on collapsible folding chair. *It's summer so stay cool and stay hydrated. *Don't forget to bring your sun shades.

It's the kind of place where you can catch incredible up-and-coming bands one night and seasoned…read moreindie legends the next. The sound quality is excellent for such an intimate space, and the atmosphere is pure rock-and-roll -- raw, unpolished, and full of energy. Drinks are affordable, the lighting sets the perfect underground vibe, and the crowd is always lively and diverse. It's a place that celebrates real music and creativity without the pretension, making every show feel like a genuine Chicago experience.

October-April. It is…read morethe second Saturday of the month. noon to 4:00 PM free to the public 21+ and parents with kids (same goes for sellers) Parking: Street Transit: #49 Western bus - http://www.transitchicago.com/riding_cta/busroute.aspx?RouteId=198 Transit Chicago - http://www.transitchicago.com Handmade Market is a unique event to connect the makers of beautiful things to people who appreciate the unique and handmade. Featuring more than 30 amazing sellers at the market, selling jewelry, purses, knitted items, clothing, paper crafts, and more! The Empty Bottle starts serving at noon, so feel free to shop with mimosas in hand. (We do encourage relaxed shopping.) You can also grab brunch at the tasty Bite Café next door. Markets include funky jewelry, glass pendants, knitted items, handbags, clothing, paper crafts and more. Did you know that in the city there are many makers who create jewelry, clothing, scarves, handbags, journals, greeting cards, and more? Do you want your money to go directly to the people that make the things you buy? Here you can establish a personal connection, and our makers are even encouraged to demonstrate or make their products during the event. Sustainable crafterness this is a regular monthly event. We strive to create a crafter's market, with affordable handmade, mostly local items. There are a ton of crafters in the city, and we try to make this accessible to up and coming designers, jewelry makers, and others. Come out and help support your monthly crafter's market.

I haven't been to the United Center in years, but it holds very fond memories for me. Lots of fun…read moreconcerts, basketball games (go Bulls!), and hockey games (go Blackhawks!). The venue is easy to navigate and has plenty of parking at a cheaper rate than most stadiums. I took my guy to his first major league hockey game and we had a blast! It was very memorable and such a perfect way to end his first day in Chicago. I also couldn't believe my luck at finding an amazing Blackhawks leather jacket that was on sale!! Seriously couldn't believe my luck! Drinks and food are on par with other stadiums as far as price, quality, and options go. One of the cleaner stadiums I've been to as well.

My friend and I recently traveled to Chicago to attend the NCAA Men's Basketball Midwest Regional…read moreSemi-Finals & Finals (also known as the March Madness Sweet 16 & Elite 8). Every year, we choose a random venue and city to attend, and for our first time in years of this tradition, we decided to check out the United Center and Chicago. We went on a Friday to see two Sweet 16 basketball games (Michigan vs. Alabama and Iowa State vs. Tennessee) and then returned again on a Sunday to see the Elite 8 basketball game (Michigan vs. Tennessee) with the winner heading to Indiana for the Final Four. The games were electric, the United Center was a welcoming site, and it was easy to travel to and from (in general). We thought it was strange upon our arrival that the bag policy didn't allow clear bags that were a tad too big but it did allow unclear bags if small enough. We wish the American Express Lounge was open during our visit but I guess that is only during regular sporting events. The Uber Zone was also a bit complicated to figure out, but we eventually did. All in all, the entertainment in the concourses including great photo opportunities, the many food locations, and great merchandise locations. The United Center is an indoor arena on the Near West Side of Chicago and is home to the Bulls (NBA) and Blackhawks (NHL). Clearly, United Airlines is the corporate sponsor. It holds 23,500 people. There are 27 unique concessions restaurants located in the United Center including barbecue, chicken, pizza, Mexican, and other options. There are specific locations available for gluten-free and vegetarian food options, too. Some of the highlighted restaurants include Rocky's Bar, Queenie's Supper Club, FanDuel Lounge, Pepsi Grab N Go (and The Dashery & 4-Star Markets), and member's only dining like Chicago Stadium Club on the Lexus Club Level and Ketel One Club. For a special event, this location was great for the NCAA basketball tournament! I would certainly consider coming back to the United Center again in the future.

I looove this place! Been there 2 years in a row. Great place for the whole family, dates or…read morefriends. And especially people, who love social media worthy pictures. Ticket includes free drink. Large outdoor and indoor space. Next year would like to visit at nigh!

We were looking for family friendly attractions and found Sweet Dreams on Tiktok. The videos were…read moregreat, but once we got there we were so underwhelmed. I'm not sure if it's due to the time we went or what but the decorations and the experience were nothing like what we saw in the videos. The attraction came be viewed in 5-10 minutes if you stop and take pics. I did like the characters and each display, but I expected it to be scary. It was more like a wax museum.